Two additional airlines have raised their ticket prices as a response to the worsening fuel crisis triggered by ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
The disruption in air travel, marked by route cancellations and a significant surge in jet fuel costs following US-Israeli military actions that began on February 28, 2026, has been exacerbated by Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. This blockade, a critical passage for about 20% of the world’s oil and gas shipments, has led to a global fuel shortage.
Facing mounting expenses due to escalating jet fuel prices, airlines such as Air France and KLM, both under the Air France–KLM umbrella, have found it necessary to increase their fares. These two carriers recently confirmed the implementation of price hikes.
In response to soaring fuel costs, Air France and KLM had previously introduced a surcharge last month to offset the impact. Initially, economy ticket prices were raised by an additional €50 (£43.47) for a round trip.
With the latest fare adjustment, travelers booking a long-haul round trip with Air France or KLM might face an extra €50 surcharge, bringing the total fuel surcharge to €100 (£86.98) on top of the regular fare. Furthermore, flights to the United States, Canada, and Mexico could see an increase of €70 (£60.89), while an economy round trip may incur an additional €10 (£8.70).
The trend of price increases among airlines in response to the ongoing fuel crisis is not unique to Air France and KLM. Recent reports revealed that Virgin Atlantic has also raised some of its flight costs, including a £50 fuel surcharge on economy-class tickets, with premium economy fares climbing by £180 and business class by £360.
Virgin Atlantic’s Chief Executive, Corneel Koster, cautioned that flight prices may continue to rise in the coming months and possibly throughout the remainder of the year. He emphasized the unprecedented levels of jet fuel costs and the challenges airlines face in managing such high expenses.
Koster highlighted the potential for further surcharge increases if fuel prices continue to rise, advising travelers to be mindful of potential cost escalations based on future fuel price fluctuations.
While current fuel supplies remain stable, Koster acknowledged the uncertainty regarding future availability. He reassured that existing supplier contracts and diversified sourcing provide visibility and security for the next one to two months, with potential challenges beyond that period being a normal aspect of the industry.
In a bid to offset rising fuel expenses, airlines like JetBlue have reportedly increased luggage fees. Bag fees for off-peak economy fares are expected to rise by $4 (£2.95), reaching $39 (£28.79), while peak economy fares could see an increase to $49 (£36.17).
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